Local Funding

GUSD is recognized for academic performance that significantly exceeds state and regional averages, with 10 National Blue Ribbon Schools, 26 California Distinguished Schools, nationally recognized language immersion programs, and a 92% graduation rate. Through rigorous academics and career technical education pathways aligned with high-demand jobs in the local economy, GUSD prepares students for success in colleges and careers.

GUSD offers pathways to careers in nursing and healthcare, public safety, skilled trades, and other high-need fields. These programs provide students, including those whose paths do not lead to college, with opportunities to learn skills used in the workforce and to support access to jobs and economic opportunities after completing high school.

While well-maintained, some schools are over 100 years old and are continuously used by thousands of students each day. Outdated and deteriorating classrooms need basic repairs and upgrades. Some schools contain hazardous materials like asbestos, lead, and mold. Aging and deteriorating bathrooms, plumbing, gas lines, heating, and cooling systems need to be repaired or replaced. Leaky roofs, deteriorating walls and floors, and outdated electrical systems and wiring need upgrades. GUSD has carefully assessed the condition of every classroom, science lab, and school facility to develop a detailed plan focused on the highest priority repairs and upgrades.

With limited and unreliable state funding for school repairs, the GUSD is exploring placing a $690 million school improvement bond measure on an upcoming ballot. If approved by local voters, the measure would cost approximately $60 per $100 in assessed (not market) value.

Funds from a school improvement bond measure could be used to complete urgent and high-priority repairs and upgrades at local schools, including:

• Repair deteriorating plumbing, sewer, and gas lines
• Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead
• Protect safe drinking water for students
• Repair deteriorating classrooms, science labs, and career training facilities
• Replace outdated heating and cooling systems 

By law, a school facilities improvement bond measure requires strict fiscal accountability protections, including:

• Every dollar must be used to upgrade local schools only, and no funds can be taken by the state or federal governments
• An independent oversight committee, annual audits, and public disclosure of all spending are required
• No funds can be spent on administrators’ salaries or pensions

The cost of bond measures is based on the assessed value of properties. The assessed value of a property is based on the original purchase price and may not increase by more than 2% a year, while the market value tends to grow at a much faster rate based on market conditions. Thus, the assessed value is usually much lower than the market value, especially if a property was purchased long ago at a much lower price than it could be purchased for today.

No. By law, no funds from the measure may be used for operating expenses, including administrator salaries and pensions.

Even if you do not have school-age children, studies show that quality schools can help improve the quality of life in the community and protect the value of homes in the area.

State law does not allow for exemptions to be applied to bond measures. However, because the cost of a bond measure is based on the original purchase price of a home, older residents who have lived in their homes a long time have the lowest assessed values and will pay the least toward the cost of a bond measure.

All funds from a measure would benefit local GUSD schools only. No funds could be taken by the state or federal governments or be used for other purposes.

The last bond measure to repair and upgrade Glendale schools was passed in 2011. Reports of the independent oversight committee confirm that these funds were used as promised and projects were completed on time and on budget. It has now been 15 years since the last significant investment in Glendale’s aging school facilities, which is why GUSD is considering a potential bond measure this year.

For more information or to ask questions, please contact Vanessa Flores Waite, Public Information Officer at vwaite@gusd.net.